County covered in floodwater

0

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings late Sunday morning for the East Fork White River and Muscatatuck River after 2 to 4 inches of rain fell across areas of south central Indiana.

The warnings remain in effect until further notice, according to the weather service.

At noon Sunday, the East Fork White River at Rockford was at 11.42 feet, heading to an anticipated crest of 16.1 feet at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Some residents of the Brownstown area reported rainfall of from 3.5 to 4.5 inches in the gauges. A dispatcher with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday afternoon that there had not been any reports of motorists driving into high water or any damage related to the flooding.

The entrance to the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Brownstown was flooded from early Sunday morning to well into the afternoon from floodwaters from Hough Creek that runs along the east and south sides of the county seat before emptying into the East Fork White River west of town.

The two power companies serving Jackson County residents reported outages Sunday. Some of those outages didn’t occur until mid to late morning.

Jackson County REMC reported 3,352 customers out of 24,415 without power on Sunday afternoon, including 287 in Grassy Fork Township (Tampico); 282 in Driftwood Township (Vallonia); 336 in Brownstown Township; nine in Jackson Township (Seymour); and 70 in Washington Township (Dudleytown).

Duke Energy, which serves Seymour and some of the towns and smaller communities in the county, reported 746 customers out of 14,762 were experiencing an outage at noon Sunday. It was anticipated power to most would be restored by 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

According to the weather service, excessive runoff from Sunday’s heavy rainfall caused flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads and farmlands along the banks of creeks and streams.

Motorists are being advised to not drive into areas where water covers the road because the depth may be too great to allow their vehicle to cross safely. It only takes a few inches of water to sweep a vehicle away.

In hilly terrain, there are hundreds of low water crossings, which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain, the weather service reported.

According to the weather service, additional thunderstorms and rainfall — producing more flooding — are possible through Saturday because of a stationary front.

Some severe storms are possible this week with the greatest risk for widespread weather today, according to the weather service.

Heavy rainfall producing more flooding and lightning with be the main threat from the storms throughout the week. A few tornadoes and large hail will be possible, especially today.

No posts to display